San Diego Health Agency Reports Increase in Coronavirus Cases

Mar 22, 2020

The number of cases as of 5 p.m. on Saturday was 159 reported in San Diego County.

At a Saturday afternoon news conference, County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten urged all residents to comply with stay at home orders unless it is necessary fo get essential products or services.

“Please stay at home if you do not need to go out for essential reasons such as grocery shopping, walking your dog, taking a walk with your family or for other important reasons, such as being an essential worker,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health officer, said.

“A simple cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets,” she said. “These particles can land on other people if you are within 6 feet ... The viruses are inside of these droplets and if you are within 6 feet, you can become infected.”

County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Yphantides noted there was plenty of room in medical facilities such as emergency rooms around the county, suggesting fewer people were seeking treatment than normal.

“We want to make sure that folks, either out of hesitation or fear out of maybe being infected in a hospital environment, are not avoiding getting the care that they need,” Yphantides said.

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said residents should be wary of rumors and false reports but rely on reliable sources of information like the county's public health doctors and health officials. He dispelled rumors that the public water supply was usafe. Fletcher urged all residents to comply with Gov. Newsom's statewide order to stay at home unless you are working at an exempted business or need essential services or products from those businesses. He said a list of all the exempted stores and businesses could be found at COVID19.ca.gov.